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Share the city you live in ... Spring
42
sheep, Rachel had pointed out one
of the pair of Wedge-Tailed Eagles that
nest on the property, hunting over-head.
Abundant wildlife and ever changing
scenery are part of the magic of riding at
Burnelee, and on a typical ride I'm told
you might expect to see Yellow Box and
Red Gum trees, wallabies and kangaroos
are regularly sighted, with the occasional
echidna or wombat also putting in an
appearance, and in spring there are a
variety of wildflowers in bloom, including
rare native orchids.
In addition to the eagle, we were
fortunate enough to see a pair of nesting
Sulfur Crested Cockatoos, some wallabies
and even a small family of deer.
Part of the property's healthy native
environment is an environmental mission
called the Picaree Hill project. The
project has been in effect since 2002 and
covers an area of 460 hectares, which is
bounded by a 10km electric fence. In the
first four years, the Picaree Hill area had
a 75 per cent increase in the amount of
native fauna return to the land.
Making our way back to our starting
point, I chat to Debra about some
of the other rider's horses who are
accompanying us today. Many of them
have interesting stories and are great
characters, but Monty's story in particular
is an interesting one.
Born on Melbourne Cup day, Monty
had an unfortunate accident at just one
month of age. He was found in the
paddock with the top of his head above
his nose, peeled right back to the bone
after an unseen accident had occurred ---
he now bears a lifelong scar as a result of
the injury. Later in life Monty, who is a
well-bred stock horse and had been used
for mustering work, developed a talent,
albeit a slightly undesirable one, that
many a working sheepdog would envy. If
Monty were left in a paddock with sheep
he would single one out to herd it away
from the others, just as he was supposed
to do...when he was working. Fortunately
when we were mustering the sheep, it
appeared that Monty had put his days of
intimidating sheep behind him.
If you feel like doing something a little
different on the weekend, as I discovered,
Burnelee Excursions on Horseback is a
really wonderful way to spend a spring day,
experiencing the pleasure of riding though
beautiful native land. Rides take place
on Saturday mornings and afternoons
and Burnelee also have full-day rides for
groups, as well as mustering days.
SEE MORE
Burnelee Excursions on
Horseback
Where: Approx. 30 minutes
from Canberra, between
Murrumbateman and Gundaroo
When: Saturday mornings and
afternoons, group bookings
available on request.
Cost: 2 hour ride $60 pp
Phone: 02 6227 5850
Website: burnelee.com.au
Abundant wildlife
and ever changing
scenery are part of
the magic of riding
at Burnelee.
STEADFAST STEEDS: Enjoy a canter or give mustering a go at Burnelee.